The North Central College women’s volleyball team won its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, CCIW, opener last Tuesday, Sept. 29, in front of the home crowd.
The Cardinals came into the match with a 13-3 record and jumped on the Vikings of Augustana College, who have a current record of 7-6, early by winning the first two sets.
Eventually North Central won three sets to one, led by strong offense from sophomores Julie Laugel (’18) with 18 kills and Cara Howell (’18) with 17 kills. Laura Kluk (’16) ended with the night averaging 12.5 assists per set and Jill Galovic (’16) added 27 digs on defense.
The Cardinals headed into the weekend winning seven of their last eight matchups and competed at the Wheaton College Thunder Invitational playing Saint Mary’s College, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Dubuque and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
The first matchup the Cardinals faced was Saint Mary’s, who hold a record of 10-4. The Cardinals dropped three straight sets to the Belles after the last two sets needed extra time, both resulting in 29-27 wins for Saint Mary’s. Galovic paced the defense with 17 digs and Amanda Walker (’16) added four blocks.
In the second matchup of the night, the Cardinals played the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire, who are 11-6. North Central could not close the first set, only scoring once in the sets final seven points. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in the second set, only to find themselves in a tie at 24 late.
One kill and one error later, the Blugolds held a two set lead over North Central. The Cardinals fought hard in the third set, finding themselves in yet another 24-24 tie. A quick kill and an ace sealed the third set for the Cardinals.
The fourth set was much of the same, with the game being tied at 23. The Blugold’s ended the game on back-to-back blocks to win the set 26-24 and secure the match. Walker headed North Central’s offense with 13 kills and Ashley Powers (’17) turned out 44 of her 71 assists on the day. Galovic paced the defense as usual, recording 23 digs.
The Cardinals came out flat the next day against the University of Dubuque getting beat 25-13 in the first set. The Spartans and Cardinals traded the next three sets to force a deciding fifth set.
It was only fitting that the fifth set of this back and forth affair went to extra points. With the score locked at 16, the Spartans put up a quick two points to win the match.
Howell finished with 20 kills and Walker added 16 of her own. Powers finished with 54 assists while Galovic led the defense with 22 digs.
North Central ran into trouble later when they met UW-Stevens Point who came in ranked 12th in the country. The Pointers won the first two sets a combined 50-28, they went on to win the match three sets to none.
With the offense struggling to score, Powers still ended up with 26 assists. Walker who tallied up a match-high four blocks was named to the all-tournament team.
